West African media legal professionals Petitions CCB over Imo governor’s senatorial ambition

The Association of West African Media Lawyers (WAMELA) has petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to analyze Imo state governor Hope Uzodimma’s reported ambition to contest for a Senate seat in 2027 whereas nonetheless serving as governor.

The affiliation which engages in public-interest litigation and advocates constitutional governance, the rule of regulation and democratic accountability within the area made the demand in a petition dated October 20, 2026, and addressed to the CCB chairman.

It urged the bureau to find out whether or not the governor’s reported Senatorial ambition raises questions of abuse of workplace or battle of curiosity beneath the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

WAMELA cited Paragraph 1 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which prohibits public officers from abusing their places of work.

It additionally referenced constitutional provisions empowering the bureau to obtain and examine complaints of alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct and, the place vital, refer circumstances to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The head of WAMELA in Nigeria, Mr President Aigbokhan, stated the affiliation was not questioning the correct of a sitting governor to aspire to a different elective workplace however was involved in regards to the doable implications of pursuing a senatorial nomination whereas nonetheless in workplace.

“Our concern is not whether a sitting governor could aspire to another elective office, but whether he can pick a Senatorial nomination to pursue a senatorial seat in 2027 while his tenure remains subsisting till 2028 could create a conflict between personal political ambition and the constitutional responsibilities of the office,” he stated.

Aigbokhan added that the oath of workplace taken by a governor upon assumption of obligation was a binding constitutional endeavor reasonably than a ceremonial formality.

The affiliation argued that the use, neglect or compromise of the powers, privileges, assets or obligations of the governorship to advance private political pursuits might increase problems with abuse of workplace and battle of curiosity that warrant investigation.